Cardinals sign free agent CB Malcolm Butler
Cornerback Malcolm Butler has agreed to a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cardinals announced they agreed to terms with former Titans’ CB Malcolm Butler on a one-year contract.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2021
The 31-year-old is entering his eighth NFL season. After four years with the Patriots and three with the Titans, Tennessee released the DB on March 9.
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Butler is best known for his game-saving interception of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson with seconds left in Super Bowl XLIX to preserve a 28-24 win.
The then-rookie played with the Pats for three more years, all as a full-time starter. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2015 season and ultimately amassed 44 passes defended and eight interceptions from 2015-2017. However, his tenure ended in a highly questioned Super Bowl benching in which he saw limited action during the Pats’ 41-33 upset loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Feb. 2018.
Ultimately, his release was a cost-cutting maneuver. Tennessee will save over $22.5 million in cap money by releasing him now, per Over the Cap.
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Butler likely still has something left in the tank, though, after amassing 100 tackles, four picks and 14 passes defended last year. This is a good move for the Cardinals as it looks to shore up its secondary.
He can also step into the secondary and immediately fill the void left by Patrick Peterson, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
